Mark Knopfler told an interviewer that the song was inspired kind of by accident: He had been doing a lot of traveling between Europe and the states and landing in Philly a lot. At the same time, he was reading Thomas Pynchon's mammoth (700+ pages) historical novel "Mason and Dixon" about the two surveyors sent to America in the 1700's. The book made an impression which was paralled by, and coincided with, his own flights westward to Phildadelphia from the Old World.
Knopfler has this ability to capture complexity and polarity in his songs. Of course Mason-Dixon connotes lots of imagery about dark periods of history: Certainly the times of slavery, but in this case it's more about the excitement, trepidation and ugliness of the Europeans' conquest of the American wilderness and its native peoples. Knopfler captures the glory of the opportunity, as well as the darkness of the fear and loss of the experience. He also captures the differences of the two men. It's an amazing convergence of poetry, music mood and a good, multilayed story. Knopler is an under-appreciated genius - - as well as a likable down to earth guy. Don't dig too deep for a central truth - - just let the waves of the song and story wash over you. Life is complicated and beautiful and we never know exactly where the path (in this case, a literal one) leads - - for both good and bad.
Mark Knopfler told an interviewer that the song was inspired kind of by accident: He had been doing a lot of traveling between Europe and the states and landing in Philly a lot. At the same time, he was reading Thomas Pynchon's mammoth (700+ pages) historical novel "Mason and Dixon" about the two surveyors sent to America in the 1700's. The book made an impression which was paralled by, and coincided with, his own flights westward to Phildadelphia from the Old World.
Knopfler has this ability to capture complexity and polarity in his songs. Of course Mason-Dixon connotes lots of imagery about dark periods of history: Certainly the times of slavery, but in this case it's more about the excitement, trepidation and ugliness of the Europeans' conquest of the American wilderness and its native peoples. Knopfler captures the glory of the opportunity, as well as the darkness of the fear and loss of the experience. He also captures the differences of the two men. It's an amazing convergence of poetry, music mood and a good, multilayed story. Knopler is an under-appreciated genius - - as well as a likable down to earth guy. Don't dig too deep for a central truth - - just let the waves of the song and story wash over you. Life is complicated and beautiful and we never know exactly where the path (in this case, a literal one) leads - - for both good and bad.